Reusable breast shield

Abstract

A reusable, washable breast shield for use by lactating women. The shield may include an inner layer and an outer layer. The shield may be placed against the breast of the user and may be held in place with an article of clothing or may be used without supporting clothing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A breast shield to cover a breast area of a user, the breast shield comprising:
 a silicone rubber first layer adapted to contact the breast area of the user; 
 a silicone rubber second layer attached to an outer side of the first layer; 
 the second layer having a greater thickness than the first layer and a higher durometer than the first layer; 
 the first and second layers including similar sizes with outer edges being aligned with the second layer being thicker than the first layer at the outer edges; 
 the second layer forms a frame that supports the first layer. 
 
     
     
       2. The breast shield of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is a gel. 
     
     
       3. The breast shield of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers include a combined thickness of 20-90 mils. 
     
     
       4. The breast shield of  claim 1 , wherein the shield is translucent. 
     
     
       5. The breast shield of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the first layer is smooth to facilitate adherence to the breast area of the user. 
     
     
       6. The breast shield of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers each have an essentially circular shape. 
     
     
       7. The breast shield of  claim 1 , further comprising a third layer attached to an outer surface of the second layer away from the first layer, the third layer comprising a clothing item. 
     
     
       8. A breast shield to cover a breast area of a user, the breast shield comprising:
 a silicone rubber first layer with a first surface adapted to contact the breast area of the user and a second surface; 
 a silicone rubber second layer attached to the second surface of the first layer and being sized relative to the first layer with the outer edges of the first and second layers being aligned, the second layer having a greater thickness and a higher durometer than the first layer throughout the first and second layers; and 
 a clothing item attached to the second layer away from the first layer, the clothing item positioning the first and second layers relative to the breast area of the user. 
 
     
     
       9. The breast shield of  claim 8 , further comprising an adhesive positioned between an outer surface of the second layer and an inner surface of the clothing item that attaches the clothing item to the second layer. 
     
     
       10. The breast shield of  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive comprises separate sections that are spaced apart along the outer surface of the second layer. 
     
     
       11. The breast shield of  claim 8 , wherein the clothing item includes a smaller thickness than the second layer. 
     
     
       12. The breast shield of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second layers are translucent. 
     
     
       13. The breast shield of  claim 8 , wherein the first surface of the first layer is smooth to facilitate adherence to the breast area of the user. 
     
     
       14. The breast shield of  claim 8 , wherein the first layer is a gel. 
     
     
       15. A breast shield to cover a breast area of a user, the breast shield comprising:
 a multi-layered body sized to extend over the breast area of the user and including a gel first layer with a first side and a second side and a non-gel second layer positioned at the second side of the gel first layer, the first side of the first layer configured to contact against the breast area of the user, the first and second layers including aligned outer edges; 
 the non-gel second layer forms a frame that supports the gel first layer; 
 the gel first layer having a smaller thickness than the non-gel second layer at the outer edges. 
 
     
     
       16. The breast shield of  claim 15 , wherein the non-gel second layer is silicone rubber. 
     
     
       17. The breast shield of  claim 15 , wherein the gel first layer and the non-gel second layer are attached directly together. 
     
     
       18. The breast shield of  claim 15 , wherein each of the gel first layer and the non-gel second layer are translucent.